Minor’s Appellate Counsel in Removal Case May Not Freely Choose to Reverse Course

A child’s appointed appellate attorney in a removal proceeding lacked valid justification for reversing the position of the trial counsel/guardian ad litem that the minor should not remain with her mother, the California Court of Appeal, First District, held May 1 (Contra Costa Cnty. Children & Family Servs. Bureau v. Elizabeth V., 2014 BL 122783, Cal. Ct. App. 1st Dist., No. A137439).

The court said the attorney relied too much on her own background and judgment, and did not meet personally with the minor or obtain the guardian ad litem’s authorization to change course. However, “on balance it ...